Thought provoking art – a horse with no name

Nature claims back the respect that the human race tends to neglect, reminding us of its boundaries and laws. This is the approach that Namibian visual artists Christine Skowski and Raphael Scriba have in their art instillation at the Franco Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC). “I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name” currently housed at the gallery takes the viewer on a journey through the desert and time.Man has always endeavoured to conquer nature. Only a few rare places in the world are so harsh and hostile, that man’s attempts to tame the wild are still futile, small and ridiculous. The desert is a place where time seems to stand still. Man only passes through. He tries to leave his landmarks, to conquer or tame the harsh and hostile environment, but in the end his efforts are futile.Just like any other instillation this one draws critical attention to the eye and mind of the viewer. It is unique in that it evokes so many different emotions in people. It is not hard to interpret the pieces as they move from destruction to self discovery and then to renewal. The art takes the viewer on a transcendental journey about ourselves and our relationship with the environment. This exhibition encourages the viewer to contemplate how attitude affects the environment, and how the environment affects attitude. Contemporary and historic media are mixed and combined in this instillation evoking reflection on past and present, on the laws of mankind in comparison to the never changing landscape, reminding us of the human smallness and perishability.After spending 10 years in Europe, where she studied photography and visual design, Christine Skowski returned to her home country Namibia in 2010. She is not new to the FNCC and just like her previous exhibitions, she looked for underlying truths.I think its safe to say she found them. Certainly this work of art is a must see. I found it intriguing and amusing that it works so well in the space of the gallery. Go and check it out. It is on until 28 June. Entrance is free.